Man spends $1,000 fighting $80 speeding fine
A New Zealand man who spent more than $1000 in a bid to beat an $80 speeding fine says he did it for the "broad principle in life called justice".
John Croawell was charged with driving at 61km/h in a 50km/h zone in February 2014, but the now-63-year-old disagreed with the reading.
Adamant he was not speeding, Mr Croawell decided to fight the charge but was required to fly to Dunedin at least five times, costing him more than $1000 that won't be recouped in court costs.
To be heard in court, Mr Croawell needed to fly from his home in Whangarei, near Auckland on the north island, more than 1600km to Dunedin in the south island.
The 63-year-old told the Otago Daily Times the fight wasn't about the money, despite losing part of his income as he missed work to research his case.
"If you roll over you're making it easier for those trusted with authority to hammer the s*** out of your fellow man," he said.
Mr Croawell said he was disappointed the judge dismissed the case, meaning he did not receive an apology from police.
Given the case had already been adjourned twice in 2016, Judge Kevin Phillips made a ruling on Tuesday, after police failed to produce evidence.
Mr Croawell had argued the speed camera was not set up correctly, causing a "bounce-back" of the radar beam.
